Surface fuel treatments in young, regenerating stands affect wildfire severity in a mixed conifer forest, eastside Cascade Range, Washington, USA

► We compared fire severity in plantations with and without fuels-reducing site preparation. ► Units without fuels-reducing site preparation have more severe fire effects. ► Species composition, canopy closure, and canopy base height also contribute to fire severity. ► Forests can be resilient to wildfire if surface fuel loading is low upon stand establishment.